Efficient multi-cast broadcasting for packet data systems

An apparatus for multi-cast transmissions that minimize channel resources, comprising:

• a memory element;
• and
• a processing element for executing a set of instructions stored in the memory element, the set of instructions for:
• generating an identifier for a group of subscribers, wherein the identifier is for accessing a multi-cast service;
• choosing channel quality information by selecting the channel quality information associated with the subscribers identified by the identifier and having the worst channel conditions;
• determining the timing of the multi-cast service that a flows the subscribers with the worst channel conditions to receive the multicast service with optimal channel quality, wherein the timing is determined based on the channel quality information associated with the subscribers with the worst channel conditions;
• and
• transmitting the identifier and the multi-cast service on at least one channel, wherein the multi-cast service is transmitted to each of the subscribers in accordance with the timing determined by the channel quality information.

An apparatus for multi-cast transmissions that minimizes channel resources, comprising:

• a memory element;
• and
• a processing element for executing a set of instructions stored in the memory element, the set of instruction for:
• generating an identifier for a group of subscribers, wherein the identifier is for accessing a multi-cast service;
• choosing the channel quality information of the subscriber identified by the identifier and having the worst channel conditions;
• determining the timing of the multi-cast service that allows the subscriber with the worst channel condition to receive the multi-cast service with optimal channel quality, wherein the timing is determined based on the channel quality information associated with the subscriber with the worst channel condition;
• and
• transmitting the identifier and the multi-cast service on at least one channel, wherein the multi-cast service is transmitted to each of the subscriber in accordance with the timing determined by the channel quality information.

An apparatus for multi-cast transmissions that minimizes channel resources, comprising:

• a memory element;
• and
• a processing element for executing a set of instructions stored in the memory element, the set of instructions for:
• generating an identifier for a group of subscribers to a multi-cast service, wherein the identifier is for accessing the multi-cast service;
• choosing channel quality information by selecting the channel quality information associated with the subscribers identified by the identifier and having the worst channel conditions;
• and
• determining the transmission format of the multi-cast service that allows the subscribers with the worst channel conditions to receive the multicast service with optimal channel quality, wherein the timing is determined based on the channel quality information associated with the subscribers with the worst channel conditions;
• and
• transmitting the identifier and the multi-cast service on at least one channel, wherein the multi-cast service is transmitted to each of the subscribers in accordance with the transmission format determined by the channel quality information.

A method for broadcasting to a group of subscribers in a cellular communication network, comprising:

• generating an identifier for a group of subscribers, wherein the identifier is for accessing a multi-cast service;
• using channel quality information for at least one subscriber to determine the timing of the multi-cast service to the group of subscribers;
• and
• transmitting the identifier and the multi-cast service on at least one channel, wherein the multi-cast service is transmitted to each of the subscribers in accordance with the timing determined by the channel quality information.

A method for efficient multi-cast broadcasting, comprising:

• generating an identifier for a group of subscribers to a multi-cast service, wherein the identifier is for accessing a multi-cast service;
• identifying the subscriber with the worst channel quality by analyzing a plurality of channel quality feedback indicators from a group of subscribers;
• selecting a timing and a transmission format of the multi-cast service so that the multi-cast service will be received by the subscriber with the worst channel conditions;
• and
• transmitting the identifier of a first signaling channel and the multi-cast service on a second channel to each of the subscribers in accordance with the timing and the transmission format as determined by the subscriber with the worst channel quality.